We continue our series looking into young South African players that we believe are currently flying under the radar.
Aidan Oosthuizen (EG Jansen)
Date of Birth: 17 July 2003
Position: Lock
Other Positions: 8th Man
Height: 194cm
Weight: 98kg
Strengths: Lineouts, Defence, Rucks, Leadership, Reliability
Squads
2017 Valke IPT
2018 Titans – Portugal Rugby Youth Festival
2018 Valke IPT
2019 u/17 7’s
2019 Valke Grant Khomo
2019 Valke IPT (Captain)
2020 Eg Jansen 1XV (4)
2020 Valke Cravenweek Group
2021 Nothing due to injuries (Hamstring)
(Valke Cravenweek Group / Eg Jansen 1XV)
Aidan must be one of the most hard done by players we have featured thus far. After making a name for himself with an outstanding Grant Khomo tournament he transferred to EG Jansen in 2020 ready to showcase his talents on a national level.
The pandemic slowed things down for the big lock but with Jansies looking solid in 2021 many felt that this would be his year! A hamstring injury unfortunately meant he wasn’t able to showcase his talents but any team that recruits this talent will be getting themselves a true hidden gem.
Matthew Golden (Oakdale Landbou)
Date of Birth: 5 August 2003
Position: Fullback
Other Positions: Centre, Flyhalf
Height: 182cm
Weight: 81kg
Strengths: Counter Attacking, High Ball, Positioning, Communication, Carrying, Playmaker, Speed and finishing
Squads
2019: U17 SWD Sevens
2021: U18 Academy Week
Oakdale are packed to the brim with top tier talent this year! And while many may focus on 2 or 3 of those players Matthew Golden surely has to be in the national conversation.
He has shown in the early stages on this season that he is without doubt one of the top 5 fullbacks in the country at the very least, his counter attacking runs and deceptive strength have been standout this year. We are extremely confident Matthew is a player with the pedigree to add tremendous value to any team he is a part of.
Riekerd Bornman (Dr Malan)
Date of Birth: May 6 2003
Position: Blindside Flank
Other Positions: 8th Man
Height: 191cm
Weight: 105kg
Strengths: Carries, Breakdown, Work Rate, Leadership, Consistency, Strength
Squads
2019: u/16 Grant Khomo Squad Falcons.
2019: SARU Greensquad u/16.
2021: High Performance Virtual Camp.
2021: Craven Week Falcons.
Riekerd is built like an absolute tank as he should be with the amount of work he puts into the gym! The young talent has traveled the road less taken. Despite many schools offering him scholarships he decided to stay loyal to the lesser known Dr. Malan and even though not a mainstream school he has the attention of selectors on a national level.
A powerful carrier and exceptional leader with a work rate that is rare in today’s game we certainly expect Riekerd to turn his natural talent into a long and fulfilling professional career.
Haydn Kemp (Maritzburg College)
Date of Birth: June 10 2003
Position: Openside Flank
Other Positions: Lock, Blindside Flank, 8th Man
Height: 188cm
Weight: 86kg
Strengths: Work ethic; Support play; Breakdown; Handling skills; Defense; Lineouts; Ball carrying; Aerial skills
Squads
2019: u/16 Grant Khomo (Sharks)
2021: Maritzburg College 1st XV
Haydn is part of a very gifted Maritzburg College team and unlike many players this year has had somewhat of a chance of showcase his ability in the teams thus far unbeaten season.
A player with an extremely high work rate he was part of a very underrated loose trio who would have caused much havoc in the local KZN schools scene in 2021.
